Wildfires
Right now
The most recent data we hold from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) arrived 18 minutes ago, and this point is not in it. We record detections, not passes: an absence is not proof that nothing is there.
2 other detections within 20 km in the last 24 hours, the nearest 1 km from here.
Recorded by satellite today.
A thermal anomaly is a snapshot of one satellite pass, not a record of a fire’s life: we cannot say whether it kept burning after that pass.
No stronger detection stands among the 8 recorded within 20 km of this point since 27 July 2026 — 2 others scored the same. The last comparable one was on 29 July 2026.
What the source measured
NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) reported 13 fire pixels with a combined fire radiative power of 527 MW, at high confidence, 561 km from Alice Springs.
The 13 pixels cover about 1.8 km² — that is the footprint of the detection grid at 375 m resolution, not an estimate of how much land burned.
FIRMS does not report burned area, and neither do we.
Wind from ESE at 12 km/h at 00:00 UTC, according to MET Norway.
This is the highest radiative power we have recorded at this point, over 119 readings since 12 September 2026 — the previous range was 501 MW to 527 MW.
Nearby, since 27 July 2026
- September 12, 2026 · score 50 · 1.1 km
- September 12, 2026 · score 50 · 1.9 km
- July 28, 2026 · score 27 · 4.8 km
How we know
One source: NASA FIRMS (VIIRS). Not yet confirmed by a second, independent source.
Our own score for this event is 50 out of 100, at 64 % confidence.
The score is ours, computed from intensity, exposed population and local history — not the source’s.
Wind: MET Norway Locationforecast, CC BY 4.0.
Computed under scoring rules v4. Rows carrying other versions were judged by different rules and are not directly comparable.
Event Data
| Type | Wildfires |
| Severity | High |
| Calamity Score (ours) | 50 / 100 |
| Our confidence | 64% |
| Coordinates | -20.2044, 129.9591 |
| Nearest City | Alice Springs (561 km) |
| Impact Tier | minor |
| Timestamp | 2026-09-12T05:16:00.000Z |
| Source | https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@129.959,-20.204,9z |
Score Breakdown
Technical Details
| Brightness | 367 |
| Frp | 527.12 |
| PixelCount | 13 |
| Confidence | high |
Cascade Risks
Safety Information
If a wildfire is approaching: follow evacuation orders immediately. Do not wait to see the fire. Close all windows and doors, remove combustible materials from around your home, and have an emergency go-bag ready. Air quality can deteriorate rapidly even at distance from the fire front — monitor local air quality advisories.
Series begins 8 March 2026. Comparisons refer to that period only. Collection gap: 14-26 August 2026.
This data is aggregated algorithmically from scientific sources. Not a replacement for official emergency warnings.
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